Constructing Stable Nitrogen-Rich Core-Shell CdS@MC for Photocatalytic Reduction of U(VI) in Air without Sacrificial Agent.

Photocatalytic reduction of uranium from U(VI) to U(IV) has been recognized as an effective treatment method for uranium wastewater. However, most photocatalysts have to be reduced under inert gas and sacrificial agent. Here, a class of nitrogen-rich core-shell photocatalysts (CdS@MC) with high stability was successfully prepared by modifying CdS with melamine and cyanuric chloride condensation.

An electrochemical biosensor equipped with a logic circuit as a smart automaton for two-miRNA pattern detection.

Detecting multiple targets in complex cellular and biological environments yields more reliable results than single-label assays. Here, we introduced an electrochemical biosensor equipped with computing functions, acting as a smart automaton to enable computing-based detection. By defining the logic combinations of miR-21 and miR-122 as detection patterns, we proposed the corresponding AND and OR detection automata.

N/O-Codoped Ultrathin Porous Biochar Derived from Casein for Fast Adsorption of Iodine.

The release of radioactive iodine into the environment poses a significant threat, as it can contaminate soil, water, and food chains, leading to detrimental effects on ecosystems and biodiversity. Hence, employing the adsorption method proves to be a simple yet effective approach for treating radioactive waste. N/O-codoped ultrathin porous biochar, synthesized from casein using NaHCO activation, emerges as a potential candidate for adsorption materials.

Photoactivated Controlled Dnazyme Platform for on-Demand Activation Sensitive Electrochemiluminescence mRNA Analysis.

Programming ultrasensitive and stimuli-responsive DNAzyme-based probes holds great potential for on-demand biomarker detection. Here, an optically triggered DNAzyme platform was reported for on-demand activation-sensitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) c-myc mRNA analysis. In this design, the sensing and recognition function of the split DNAzyme (SDz) probe was silent by engineering a blocking sequence containing a photocleavable linker (PC-linker) group at a defined site that could be indirectly cleaved by 302 nm ultraviolet (UV) light.

Efficient removal of cesium ions using Prussian blue loaded on magnetic porous biochar synthesized by one-step calcination.

Prussian blue (PB) is widely used for the selective removal of radioactive cesium ions (Cs) from aqueous solutions. Due to its small size and easy dispersion in water, PB requires a carrier that is both inexpensive and easily separable. Magnetic porous biochar (MPBC) was formed by activating starch with FeCl through a one-step calcination method.

Self-sacrificed BiOBr template-assisted synthesis of α-BiO/BiOBr heterojunctions with oxygen vacancies for enhanced photocatalytic nitrogen fixation.

The catalytic conversion of nitrogen to ammonia is one of the most significant processes in nature and the chemical industry. However, the traditional Haber-Bosch process of ammonia synthesis consumes substantial energy and emits a large amount of carbon dioxide. The efficiency of photocatalytic N activation is severely limited by the lack of N adsorption sites and poor carrier utilization.

Enhanced adsorption capacity of tetracycline on porous graphitic biochar with an ultra-large surface area.

Excessive tetracycline in the water environment may lead to the harming of human and ecosystem health. Removing tetracycline antibiotics from aqueous solution is currently a most urgent issue. Porous graphitic biochar with an ultra-large surface area was successfully prepared by a one-step method.

Configuration Sensitivity of Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction on Nitrogen-Doped Graphene.

As one of the most promising nonprecious metal catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), the structure of the active site on nitrogen-doped carbon materials is still under debate. Here, we report that the sensitivity of the ORR on the local configuration of multiple nitrogen dopants may be overlooked. Combining global structure searching with density functional theory calculations, we established the structure-activity relationship for 19 and 298 possible configurations of graphitic nitrogen-doped graphene with N content of 2 and 3%, respectively.

Effect of the organic sulfur source on the photocatalytic activity of CdS.

By controlling the species of the organic sulfur source, CdS samples were produced with different photocatalytic performances by a low-temperature solvothermal method. Different species of the organic sulfur source were chosen as the coordination agent to control the interactions in the crystal growth process. Among them, thioacetamide was the best coordination agent.

Metal-Organic Framework Nanoparticles Power DNAzyme Logic Circuits for Aberrant MicroRNA Imaging.

At the molecular level, a large number of studies exist on the use of dynamic DNA molecular circuits for disease diagnosis and biomedicine. However, how to design programmable molecular circuit devices to autonomously and accurately diagnose multiple low-abundance biomolecules in complex cellular environments remains a challenge. Here, we constructed DNAzyme logic circuits for the analysis and imaging of multiple microRNAs in living cells using Cu/ZIF-8 NPs as a nanocarrier of the logic gate modules and the Cu cofactor of the Cu-dependent DNAzyme.

Conjugated Cationic Pp- Formed on g-CN for Photocatalyzed Water Splitting.

Polycationic Pp-@g-CN composite was synthesized through an in situ polymerization process of -alkylpyridinium acetylenic alcohol bromide (p-) above the surface of g-CN. The structure of p-0 and the Pp-@g-CN properties were checked by modern technologies. Photocatalytic tests of Pp-@g-CN in water splitting unveiled much better Pp-@g-CN hydrogen evolution activities by comparison with both g-CN and Pp-0.

Electrochemical oxidation mechanisms for selective products due to C-O and C-C cleavages of β-O-4 linkages in lignin model compounds.

Electrochemical oxidation is a promising and effective method for lignin depolymerization owing to its selective oxidation capacity and environmental friendliness. Herein, the electrooxidation of non-phenolic alkyl aryl ether monomers and β-O-4 dimers was experimentally (by cyclic voltammetry, in situ spectroelectrochemistry, and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy) and theoretically (by DFT calculations) explored in detail. Compared to the reported literature (T.

Electrochemical Reduction of CO into Tunable Syngas Production by Regulating the Crystal Facets of Earth-Abundant Zn Catalyst.

The electrochemical reduction of CO to syngas with a tunable CO/H ratio is regarded as an economical and promising method for the future. Herein, a series of earth-abundant Zn catalysts with different crystal facet ratios of Zn(002) to Zn(101) in the bulk phase have been prepared on electrochemically polished Cu foam by the electrochemical deposition method. The Zn catalyst with more (101) crystal facets show good electrochemical activity for the CO reduction reaction (CORR) to CO and that with more (002) crystal facets favor the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Theoretical Study on the Catalytic Reduction Mechanism of NO by CO on Tetrahedral Rh4 Subnanocluster.

The catalytic mechanism of 2NO + 2CO → N2 + 2CO2 on Rh4 cluster has been systematically investigated on the ground and first excited states at the B3LYP/6-311+G(2d),SDD level. For the overall reaction of 2NO + 2CO → N2 + 2CO2, the main reaction pathways take place on the facet site rather than the edge site of the Rh4 cluster. The turnover frequency (TOF) determining transition states are characteristic of the second N-O bond cleavage with rate constant k4 = 1.

Theoretical insight into the coordination of cyclic β-D-glucose to [Al(OH)(aq)](2+) and [Al(OH)2(aq)](1+) ions.

The coordination of cyclic β-D-glucose (CDG) to both [Al(OH)(aq)](2+) and [Al(OH)2(aq)](1+) ions has been theoretically investigated, using quantum chemical calculations at the PBE0/6-311++G(d,p), aug-cc-pvtz level under polarizable continuum model IEF-PCM, and molecular dynamics simulations. [Al(OH)(aq)](2+) ion prefers to form both six- and five-coordination complexes, and [Al(OH)2(aq)](+) ion to form four-coordination complex. The two kinds of oxygen atoms (on hydroxyl and ring) of CDG can coordinate to both [Al(OH)(aq)](2+) and [Al(OH)2(aq)](+) ions through single-O-ligand and double-O-ligand coordination, wherein there exists some negative charge transfer from the lone pair electron on 2p orbital of the coordinated oxygen atom to the empty 3s orbital of aluminum atom.